While looking at a nativity scene one Christmas my son took my hand and said “Mom, why was Jesus born as a baby amongst the sheep?”. It was a good question. Why did the God of the universe decide to enter this world in a vulnerable and inconspicuous way? It would not have been my choice. I would have gone for grandeur or at the very least comfort.

As I pondered this question, I turned to Luke 2 and read the account of Jesus’s birth.  Due to a census, Mary and Joseph had left their home in Nazareth to travel to Bethlehem. Mary probably thought, or at least hoped, she would make it back to Nazareth before the birth of her baby. Home, safe and sound, surrounded by people she knew and could trust. Instead, like all good birthing plans, she found herself stuck in a distant town, with no decent lodging, delivering her baby amongst the lowing cattle. The timing and place of this event was unexpected and less than ideal for this young mother.

God’s timing is perfect in the imperfect

While Mary would have been unaware of the approaching timing of this event, God was not taken by surprise – at all. The omniscient God knew when this precious child would be born; when Mary would deliver the promise of God.

This is often God’s way. He will plant within us a seed to bring forth: a dream that becomes a mission, something that this world needs.  As we walk with Him, He creates the perfect timing to bring forth His promise, even if that timing feels imperfect to us. This can take us by surprise and suddenly we see new beginnings occurring when we least expect them. He is faithful to perform His word. Just as a baby must be born, so must the promise of God in your life (Philippians 1:6; Isaiah 55:11).

Beginnings in unexpected places

There was no room in the lodgings for Mary. Instead, she had to stay in a stable. It was an unexpected space that became the birthing room for the Messiah. A lowly, unassuming place for this baby to be born. A place that signified His humility and His humanity. While the stable was messy and insignificant, it offered protection from the crowds.

Often, when we are pregnant with the promises of God we find ourselves in an unexpected place. It doesn’t look like what we had hoped for. Less than ideal, but God asks us to look with humble eyes and understand that the day of small beginnings can reap great rewards (Zechariah 4:10). Remember, Jesus was the greatest promise ever to be delivered, yet God planned for Him to have his first night as a helpless infant in an animals manger. Humility is a lens the Holy Spirit often asks us to look through to see God at work.

Christmas reminds us that the significant birthing of God’s son often look insignificant to begin with. It takes a mindset of humility to see God in the manger.

The insignificant is often surrounded by signs and wonders

While Jesus’s birth was inauspicious, it was surrounded by signs and wonders. Angels appeared in the heavens (Luke 2:9-14) and sent shepherds to find the new Messiah. They began to spread the word of the new of the birth (Luke 2:17) and many were astonished.

Maybe this year, what you have been birthing with God has felt small and insignificant, like it is not the right time or place … but be encouraged by the signs and wonders. Listen to the messengers God sends to you to testify to what He is doing. He will always send us the help we need when we need it to, just as He did to Mary that night.

Lastly, keep pondering

I think of Mary in the midst of this event. How must she have felt? What was on her mind? Was she elated? Or scared? I can only imagine it was a mix of both. Luke 2:19 records this simple statement about Mary: “She treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” I love her meekness to bow to God’s way and wisdom in the midst of the chaos of that evening. No doubt, she allowed that to strengthen her as she began this new journey with Jesus.

Her humility make reminds me that when we are walking with God, we need to hold on to His words and promises no matter how crazy life gets. This keeps us moving forward into the our new seasons. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Charissa is a teacher who has a background in business and writing. She loves to write and share about faith and family at her blog Abiding Matters (www.abidingmatters.com.au). Charissa is involved at her home church in Brisbane, Australia. Her two precious children keep her parental learning curve steep. She has been married to David for many a moon and is grateful every day for his love and friendship.